Observation: Alta Ski Area

Observation Date
11/10/2021
Observer Name
Derek DeBruin
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Alta Ski Area
Location Name or Route
Alta, Baldy & Greeley
Weather
Weather Comments
Overcast skies with sun beginning to poke through by early afternoon. Winds seemed to come out of the NW quadrant off the compass, increasing in intensity with altitude. Moderate wind speeds around 10k feet, with stronger gusts along ridgelines or as amplified by local geography.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow surface was medium density powder in protected zones, and a bit firmer in wind affected zones. Snow transport was occurring throughout the day, though not at particularly prodigious rates.
About 25cm of new snow sat atop the same snowpack structure recently reported elsewhere (dense and wet at the ground capped with crust interfaces). The base of the new snow featured significant graupel on the crust. Surface snow was not particularly well bonded to the old crust, sliding easily with the usual informal tests such as hand pits (failing on isolation) and stepping above and below the skin track.
There was variable cohesion in the storm snow, but wind affected snow definitely made for a stiffer, though still soft, slab. In wind affected areas, I managed to break off the occasional chunk the length of my skis. With the exception of the one slide already noted, there was insufficient energy for propagation where we traveled (we didn't see any cracking).
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Saw a lone size 1 pocket that pulled out of the apron at the base of the Baldy main face. Appeared to be skier triggered; suspect wind was a contributing factor. Photo below.
Comments
Photo of the small avalanche on Baldy (size 1 NE aspect ca. 10,400ft), with trees and skiers for scale. Also worth mentioning it's still early season conditions, with shallowly buried rocks up high and stumps, brush, etc. down low.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None